"We’re Old, Retired—and Apparently Invisible In recent years, it seems that young people don’t even see us."

[moguldreamer]

"We’re Old, Retired—and Apparently Invisible
In recent years, it seems that young people don’t even see us. Are we imagining things?"

The above is the title of a recent first-person article written by a pair of 60-something retirees. They recount stories of being in hostels, in restaurants, at art galleries, volunteer events, etc - and the common thread is that younger adults won't engage - no eye contact, no one looking up, etc.

“We’re invisible,” Steve whispered in the hallway. In our room, we plopped on the bed and laughed. “Nobody even acknowledged our existence,” I said. “We’re too old to see.”

They continue at another event:

We stepped into a bustling reception at an art gallery a few months ago and instantly saw we were the oldest by decades. The chatting, laughing young crowd parted for us as we headed for the wine table—averting their eyes, it seemed, after giving that quick look that says, “What are these old people doing here?”

Or at a restaurant, where the server spends his time chatting with and taking drink orders from tables with younger adults, but mostly ignoring the retirees attempt to order drinks, order food, or even get the bill.

Retired. Too old to be relevant. Too old to be seen.

Have you experienced this? Do you sometimes feel invisible?

[katharsis]

Well, I live in a small town where the average age is 63 and in a county where the average age is 54, so we seniors are definitely not invisible.

However, before moving from Denver four years ago at the age of 66, I did think/feel that I was treated as if I were almost invisible, or just tolerated. I figured it was just part of being old. The worst part of that to me was not being responded to at all if I made a joke or even smiled at a service person (meaning a grocery clerk or a cashier or a waiter) -- and even the last doctor I went to acted like he was just bored and had better things to do than to listen to my symptoms. (And, btw, I am NOT the kind of person to drone on and on about anything when I speak -- writing is a different story, however, lol.)

Btw, I guess this might be fairly normal, though, as when I was young, I simply did not LIKE the old people I knew and I assumed (yeah) that we would have nothing to talk about and that anything they had to say would not interest me -- and I certainly do see that same attitude in many under-45 people who post here, with some notable exceptions.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by moguldreamer

...

Have you experienced this? Do you sometimes feel invisible?

Not yet, though I'd not mind. The few times I thought I was invisible, I almost got caught. Being invisible has been a fantasy for a long time Until then, I have to make do with lurking

[Clemencia53]

no - not really.

[Teacher Terry]

Not always but sometimes I feel that way. My mom used to complain about being invisible.

[marino760]

I live in a small town with a good mix of people of different ages and never had that problem.

[mathjak107]

i think my wife did something to my wedding band .

it’s like it has gps tracking , knows what i am eating , detects women’s perfume and the worst part is it makes me invisible to hot chicks

[msgsing]

Anonymity can be your friend.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by moguldreamer

"We’re Old, Retired—and Apparently Invisible
In recent years, it seems that young people don’t even see us. Are we imagining things?"

The above is the title of a recent first-person article written by a pair of 60-something retirees. They recount stories of being in hostels, in restaurants, at art galleries, volunteer events, etc - and the common thread is that younger adults won't engage - no eye contact, no one looking up, etc.

Then those young adults are ignoring everyone, not just the old people.

I have yet to feel invisible.

[trobesmom]

I'm okay being invisible to some. To those who matter, I'm not.